Report: Embattled Asmussen fires assistant

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Steve Asmussen fired longtime assistant Scott Blasi on Saturday as horse racing authorities and federal agencies investigated allegations that the two had mistreated thoroughbred racehorses in their care.

Asmussen was the leading trainer at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013 and is tied for the lead in the training standings again this season with 13 days remaining in the meet.

“Scott Blasi has been relieved of his responsibilities,” Asmussen told The Daily Racing Form in a text message Saturday afternoon.

Blasi, reached by phone,declined to comment but confirmed to The Form that he had been fired after 18 years with Asmussen. During that time, he helped Asmussen reach No. 2 on the career list for victories among North America’s trainers. Asmussen ranks fifth in career purse earnings.

Racing authorities in New York, Kentucky and New Mexico are investigating allegations that Asmussen and Blasi administered drugs to their horses for nontherapeutic purposes after Blasi was captured making profanity-laced tirades in a 9½-minute video put together by PETA (People of Ethical Treatment of Animals) and a New York Times article Thursday outlined the allegations against the Asmussen stable.

On Friday, Zayat Stables announced it would scratch horses entered this weekend trained by Asmussen, including Selway, who was scheduled to run in today’s second race at Oaklawn Park, a filly named Finesse, trained by Asmussen died, after finishing second in a race at Oaklawn and Asmussen was removed as a finalist for the Racing Hall of Fame.

David Longinotti, Oaklawn’s assistant director of racing, clarified Finesse’s cause of death Saturday after it was originally reported by state steward Stan Bowker that Finesse was euthanized on the track immediately after the race. Longinotti said miscommunication between Bowker and track veterinarian Lee Cyphers led to the mistake.

Cyphers said Finesse was barely alive when he reached the stricken filly on the track, according to Longinotti.

Bowker said Satish Sanan, Finesse’s owner/breeder, requested a necropsy, which will be performed at a site in Arkansas.

Hall of Fame spokesman Brien Bouyea told voters in a letter that Asmussen’s nomination had been withdrawn “in the best interests of the institution and the sport of thoroughbred racing” and that any votes already cast for Asmussen would not be counted.

Information for this article was contributed by the New York Times, Daily Racing Form and the Associated Press.

Sports, Pages 34 on 03/23/2014